Exciting news from the Academy for Peace and Justice! Last week we installed a brand new computer lab in Wing II. Featuring 45 workstations furnished by Greenbridge Computing, these computers will use Khan Academy courses to supplement our existing curriculum beginning this fall. Access to the new machines will allow students to continue to strengthen their computer literacy and gain valuable new skills in Microsoft Office and elsewhere. This lab builds upon the success of our current lab in Wing I, and, with a third lab to be installed upon completion of Wing III in the fall, students will have plenty of access to new educational opportunities through the computers.

Following the installation, Headmaster Edy stressed the importance for the school, saying, “The reason these computers are so vital is because our students don’t have any access to computers at home. Here at school, they are exposed to all new opportunities that can help give them a better life.”

An enormous thank you to Seth Weinstein and the folks at Greenbridge Computing for their generous support and for helping the students at the Academy have access to the tools they need for a bright future!

On May 22, “FIERCE CREATIVITY: A Selling Exhibition for the Future of Haiti” was held at the FLAG Art Foundation in New York City to benefit Artists for Peace and Justice. The event was a tremendous success, with 15 artists donating works to raise $600,000.

FIERCE CREATIVITY was presented by Italian jeweler and longtime APJ supporters Vhernier.  Co-hosts included friends of Artists for Peace and Justice Maya and James Frey, in addition to Sabine and Andy Avini, APJ CEO David Belle and Alixe Boyer, Jessica Craig-Martin, Adam Gopnik, Amanda and Glenn Fuhrman, Amy Todd Middleton, Amy Phelan and Vhernier CEO Carlo Traglio.

The artworks sold in support of Artists for Peace and Justice included pieces by Dan Colen, John Currin, Damien Hirst, Jasper Johns and Richard Prince. All the artists donated the works themselves, for which we are tremendously grateful.

Special thanks to our co-hosts and the FLAG Art Foundation for making such a terrific evening possible for Haiti. As APJ CEO David Belle said at the event, “Our commitment to building high-quality, long-lasting institutions for the kids of Haiti is now firmer than ever.”

Check out photos from the event below!

We’re excited to announce that contemporary artist and OBEY Giant designer Shepard Fairey has just released his limited edition Artists for Peace and Justice Haiti poster! Shepard is an APJ Advisory Board member and has worked with us before in post-earthquake fundraising efforts. This time, the aim is to raise additional funds and awareness for our school construction needs by selling 400 exclusive posters, all signed by Shepard himself. The original photograph used for the screen print was taken by our founding country director Bryn Mooser, depicting two smiling current students from the Academy for Peace and Justice in Port-au-Prince.

Shepard announced the sale yesterday on obeygiant.com, where the 18×24 screen prints are available for purchase. Please help our efforts in Haiti by buying one!